The students, who have completed the first two years of their four-year MEng in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) in Malaysia, have arrived in Southampton to start their third year. The degree is part of the University’s Integrated International Engineering Education (IIEE) programme which allows students to spend two years studying in Malaysia followed by two years studying in the UK.

"This marks a significant milestone in the development of our USMC/ECS EEE Degree programme" said Professor Paul Lewin, Deputy Head of Department (Education). “Over the past two years, more than a dozen staff from ECS have spent periods of time in Malaysia delivering course material to ensure that the educational experience for the USMC students is the same as for those based in Southampton. This has had the added benefit that on arrival in the UK, the USMC students already personally know their project supervisors, tutors and many of the staff that will be teaching them.”

Since arriving in the UK and Southampton, students have been familiarising themselves with their new surroundings and teaching laboratories. As part of the welcome programme the students were given a tour of some of the specialist research facilities within the Department, including the clean rooms and the high voltage laboratory, before meeting the Department's management team and Faculty's Student Office staff for tea and cakes, hosted by Professor Nick Jennings, Head of Department. "I am very pleased to welcome our first USMC students to Southampton", said Nick, "I am sure that they come very well prepared for the challenges ahead and believe they will perform at a high level over the final two years of our EEE degree".

Wen Yee Tey, one of the group of students arriving from Malaysia said: “I have been enjoying my time at the University so far. Lecturers and staff from the ECS department have made me feel very welcome as they give sufficient support and assistance to international students like me. Being one of the ECS students, I get to use the newly-upgraded computer lab and practical lab in which computers with big screens and high performance are provided. I also have a chance to get to know lots of people with different backgrounds because a wide range of activities are provided for students. Southampton really is a lovely place where wonderful people from all over the world are gathered.”